Cleaning apparatus with reciprocating brush head

ABSTRACT

A cleaning apparatus includes an elongated housing bounding a chamber with a motor disposed therein. A drive shaft is at least partially disposed within the chamber of the housing, the drive shaft being coupled with the motor such that during selective operation of the motor the drive shaft is rotated continuously. A head assembly includes an elongated head housing having a head drive shaft and a brush head mounted thereon. The head assembly is adapted to be selectively coupled with the body assembly so that the body drive shaft is coupled with the head drive shaft.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of application Ser. No.11/013,935, filed Dec. 15, 2004, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/534,010, filed Jan. 2, 2004 whichapplications are incorporated herein by specific reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to hand held cleaning apparatus having areciprocating or rotating brush head.

2. The Relevant Technology

Household cleaning is a never ending business. Although there arenumerous types of sponges and brushes that are specially designed toclean large, open surface areas such as countertops, sinks, andbathtubs, there are fewer resources available for cleaning the difficultcracks, corners, and other hard to reach areas that are ubiquitous in ahome. Although conventional sponges and brushes can certainly be usedfor cleaning corners and other hard to reach areas, the configurationand large size of such conventional cleaners makes them difficult toaccess such areas. The user is often required to apply extensive forceby the ends or tips of the fingers so as to force the cleaner into thecrack or corner to be cleaned. Such cleaning is tiring and often resultsin cramping of the hand and/or fingers.

This problem is compounded by the fact that corners and cracks aretypically where dirt, mold, soap scum, and other undesirables tend togrow or build-up. As such, extra energy or force is often necessary toclean such locations.

Conventional toothbrushes are often used to clean such hard to reachareas. The problem with toothbrushes, however, is that because they arespecifically designed for cleaning teeth around sensitive gums,toothbrushes are typically too soft and do not have a good angle for anyextended, aggressive scrubbing of hard surfaces. Furthermore, because ofthe small handles on toothbrushes, any significant scrubbing using atoothbrush again produces fatigue and cramping of the hand.

Accordingly, what is needed are improved cleaning apparatus which can beused for cleaning small, hard to reach areas, which can be used fordurable, extended scrubbing, and which can be used with minimal fatigue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed withreference to the appended drawings. It is appreciated that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and aretherefore not to be considered limiting of its scope.

FIG. 1 is a an elevated side view of one embodiment of the inventivecleaning apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevated front end view of the cleaning apparatus shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevated front view of the front face of the brush headshown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional side view of the cleaning apparatus shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a subassembly of the cleaning apparatusshown in FIG. 1 showing a drive shaft coupled with a hub and brush head;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the drive shaft shown in FIG.7;

FIG. 9A is an enlarged perspective view of the hub shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9B is an enlarged perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofthe hub shown in FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10 is an enlarge perspective view of the coupled parts shown inFIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a cleaningapparatus;

FIG. 12A and 12B are exploded views of the cleaning apparatus shown inFIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional side view of the cleaning apparatus shownin FIG. 11;

FIG. 14A is an enlarged cross sectional side view of the button switchassembly shown in FIG. 13 in an off position;

FIG. 14B is an enlarged cross sectional side view of the button switchassembly shown in 14A in a momentary position;

FIG. 14C is an enlarged cross sectional side view of the button switchassembly shown in FIG. 14A in an open position; and

FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the hub shown in FIG. 12A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates cleaning apparatus having a reciprocatingor rotating brush head. The cleaning apparatus is generally designed fordomestic use in cleaning small, hard to reach areas such as cracks,corners, grooves and crevices. For example, the cleaning apparatus canbe used for cleaning corners and around faucets on counter tops and inshowers. It can also be used for spot scrubbing materials such as fabricand carpets. It is appreciated, however, that the apparatus can be usedfor cleaning any type of surface in commercial, residential, or anyother application. The cleaning apparatus, however, is not designed foruse as a toothbrush.

Depicted in FIGS. 1-3 is one embodiment of a cleaning apparatus 4incorporating features of the present invention. Cleaning apparatus 4generally comprises a body assembly 5 having a removable head assembly6. Head assembly 6 includes a head housing 7 having an upper headhousing 22 which mates with a lower head housing 24. Each of headhousings 22 and 24 extend between a proximal end 32 and an opposingdistal end 34.

Head assembly 6 further includes a rotatable brush head 14 having abrush 16 mounted thereon. As will be discussed below in greater detail,brush head 14 comprises an annular carrier plate 122 having a topsurface 124 and an opposing bottom surface 125. Depicted in FIG. 4, aplurality of tufting holes 170 are formed on bottom surface 125. In oneembodiment tufting holes 170 are circular and each have a diameter in arange between about 1 mm to about 4 mm with about 2 mm to about 3 mmbeing more common. Tufting holes 170 are shown disposed in concentricrings. Alternatively, tufting holes 170 can also be randomly disposed orbe in other patterns.

In the embodiment depicted, tufting holes 170 from an outer ring 172, amiddle ring 174, an inner ring 176 and a center tufting hole 178. Asseen in FIG. 3, disposed within each tufting hole 170 is a tuft 180which is comprised of a plurality of bristles 182. The combined tufts180 form brush 16. Bristles 182 can be made of a variety of differentmaterials having different lengths and diameters. By adjusting theproperties of the bristles 182, brush 16 can be formed having differentstiffnesses to better suite different uses. In general, bristles havingshorter length and increased diameter have increased stiffness.

Bristles 182 can be made from a variety of different natural orsynthetic materials. In one embodiment, bristles 182 are comprised of apolymer material such as nylon. In other embodiments, such as for use incleaning a barbeque grill, bristles 182 can be comprised of a metal suchas brass, stainless steel, or copper. As depicted in FIG. 1, eachbristle has an exposed length L which is typically in a range betweenabout 0.3 cm to about 2.5 cm with about 1 cm to about 2 cm being morecommon. The depicted brush 16 has a substantially cylindricalconfiguration with a maximum diameter D that is typically in a rangebetween about 1 cm to about 5 cm, with about 1 cm to about 3 cm beingcommon, and about 1.5 cm to about 2.5 cm being more common. Largerbrushes may have a diameter in a range from about 3 cm to about 5 cm. Inalternative embodiments, brush 16 can have any desired configuration andcan have any desired dimensions, including longer lengths and diameters,so as to function for a particular purpose.

Because head assembly 6 is removable from body assembly 5, it isappreciated that a variety of different head assemblies 6 can be made,each having a brush 16 of different configuration and/or properties. Forexample head assembly 6 can be formed each having a brush 16 with softbristles, medium bristles, stiff bristles or combinations thereof. Inone embodiment the soft bristles are comprised of a polymeric materialhaving a diameter in a range between about 0.15 mm to about 0.25 mm withabout 0.18 mm to about 0.23 mm being more common. Medium polymericbristles typically have a diameter in a range between about 0.30 mm toabout 0.48 mm with about 0.37 mm to about 0.42 mm being more common.Finally, polymeric stiff bristles typically have a diameter in a rangebetween about 0.48 mm to about 0.75 mm with about 0.52 mm to about 0.58mm being more common. By way of comparison, bristles on tooth brushestypically have a diameter less than 0.15 mm so that the bristles are notso stiff as to damage the gums or enamel of the teeth.

In one embodiment having a combination of bristles 182, tufting holes170 in outer ring 172, middle ring 174, and inner ring 176 (FIG. 4) arefilled with medium bristles while center tufting hole 178 is filled withstiff bristles forming a stopping tuft. The bristles in the stoppingtuft are shorter than the other bristles. During use, the stiffness ofthe stopping tuft helps limit the collapse of the other tufts as thebrush is pressed against the surface to be cleaned. This helps to ensurethat the tips of the bristles, as opposed to the sides, are primarilyused for scrubbing. Bristles having different properties can also bedefined by relative percentages. For example, in a brush at having astopping tuft and cleaning tufts, the bristles of the cleaning tufts canhave a length that is at least 20% longer or at least 30% longer thanthe bristles of the stopping tuft and a diameter that is at least 30%smaller or at least 40% smaller than the bristles of the stopping tuft.

Similarly, in one embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, brush 16 can comprise agroup of central tufts 8 which are surrounded by outer perimeter tufts9. The outer perimeter tufts 9 are slightly longer and softer thancentral tufts 8. As such, light contact by brush 16 produces softscrubbing by outer perimeter tufts 9 while harder biasing of brush 16causes central tufts 8 to engage the surface, thereby producing harderscrubbing. In alternative embodiments, all the tufts/bristles can be thesame length, diameter, or stiffness or any combination of lengths,diameters and stiffness can be used.

Body assembly 5 includes a body housing 12 having a substantiallycylindrical configuration. Body housing 12 can have a circular,elliptical or any other desired transverse cross section and is sized tocomfortably fit within the hand of a user. In one embodiment, bodyhousing 12 has a maximum diameter in a range between about 2.5 cm toabout 4.5 cm. Other dimensions can also be used. Body housing 12comprises an upper body housing 18 which mates with a lower body housing20. Each of body housings 18 and 20 also extend from a proximal end 26to an opposing distal end 28. Upper body housing 18 has an aperture 21in which a flexible button 23 is mounted (see FIG. 5). Removably mountedto proximal end 26 of body housing 12 is an end cap 30. It is noted thatbutton 23 is positioned on one side of cleaning apparatus 4 while brush16 projects from the other side of cleaning apparatus 4. Thisconfiguration enables the user to easily activate button 23 during usingof cleaning apparatus 4. Furthermore, by having this configuration, theforce used to press down on button 23, such as with the thumb of theuser, can also be used for pressing the brush against the surface to becleaned.

Head housing 7, body housing 12, and end cap 30 combine to form ahousing 36. Housing 36 has a substantially cylindrical configurationwith a length extending between proximal end 32 and end cap 30 that istypically in a range between about 15 cm to about 35 cm with about 20 cmto about 30 cm being more common. Other dimensions can also be used. Inalternative embodiments housing 36 can have a variety of otherconfigurations. Although housing 36 may not be completely symmetricalalong its entire length, housing 36 has a substantially centrallongitudinal axis 38 extending therethrough.

As depicted in FIG. 5, body housing 12 bounds a battery compartment 40,a motor compartment 42, and a shaft compartment 43. A partition 44 isformed between compartment 40 and 42 while a partition 46 is formedbetween compartment 42 and 43. Battery compartment 40 is accessedthrough an opening 48 formed at proximal end 26 of body housing 12.Opening 48 is selectively closed by end cap 30. An annular seal ring 50forms a liquid tight seal between body housing 12 and end cap 30.

As depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, cleaning apparatus 10 further includes amotor assembly 58. Motor assembly 58 comprises a motor 60 having aproximal end 62 and an opposing distal end 64 that is mounted withinmotor compartment 42. Projecting from distal end 64 of motor 60 intoshaft compartment 43 is a drive shaft 66 terminating at a first coupling68. First coupling 68 terminates at an end face 70. End face 70comprises a pair of sloping surfaces 72 that are connected by steppedshoulders 74. An annular shaft seal 76 encircles first coupling 68 andforms a liquid tight seal between first coupling 68 and body housing 12.

Battery compartment 40 is configured to receive a plurality ofbatteries. For example, in the embodiment battery compartment 40 isconfigured to receive four batteries 78 of a size AA. Other sizes andnumbers of batteries can also be used in alternative embodiments. Thepositive end of batteries 78 bias against a first contact plate 80 whichis in electrical communication with motor 60. The negative end ofbatteries 78 bias against a second contact plate 82 which is mountedwithin end cap 30.

An elongated switch 88 has a first end 90 which is in electricalcommunication with second contact plate 82 when end cap 30 is mounted tobody housing 12. Switch 88 comprises an elongated base 92 which extendsalong battery compartment 40, a riser 94 which extends along partition44, and a flexible lever arm 96 which projects so as to be disposedbetween button 23 and motor 60. When button 23 is manually depressed,lever 96 is biased against motor 60, thereby closing the circuit whichis energized by batteries 78. In turn, as the circuit is closed, theenergy from batteries 78 causes motor 60 to rotatably drive drive shaft66. As button 23 is released, the circuit is broken and motor 60 isturned off. In alternative embodiments, it is appreciated that a varietyof different switching mechanisms can be used so that motor 60 can becontinually activated without having to continually manually depressbutton 23. Furthermore, it is appreciated that batteries 78 can bereplaced with an electrical cord.

With further reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, head assembly 6 furthercomprises a drive shaft 100. As depicted in FIG. 8, drive shaft 100comprises an elongated shaft 102 having a proximal end 104 and anopposing distal end 106. Distal end 106 terminates at a distal end face108. Radially encircling and outwardly projecting from shaft 102 atdistal end 106 is an annular flange 109. A bearing or bushing 162 (FIG.7) is mounted on shaft 102 so as to bias against flange 109. Mounted atproximal end 104 of shaft 102 is a second coupling 110 having an endface 112 that is complementary to end face 70 of first coupling 68. Thatis, second coupling 110 is configured to mesh with first coupling 68 sothat stepped shoulders 74 bias against one another. As a result,rotation of drive shaft 66 by motor 60 is transferred through couplings68 and 110 to cause rotation of shaft 102.

Extending from end face 108 at distal end 107 of shaft 102 is a stem114. Mounted on the end of stem 114 is a rounded head 116. In theembodiment depicted, head 116 is spherical or substantially spherical.Here it is noted, as will be discussed below in greater detail, shaft102 has a rotational axis and central longitudinal axis 118, which inthe depicted embodiment are the same, and stem 114 has a centrallongitudinal axis 120. Stem 114 is eccentrically mounted on end face 108of shaft 102 so that central longitudinal axis 120 of stem 114 is offsetfrom central longitudinal axis 118 of shaft 102. Rotational axis 118 canalso be the same axis as the rotational axis and central longitudinalaxis of drive shaft 66 and can also be the same as central longitudinalaxis 38 of housing 36 (FIG. 1).

Returning to FIG. 5, brush head 14 comprises annular carrier plate 122,as previously discussed, having top surface 124. Projecting from topsurface 124 is a spindle 126. Spindle 126 comprises a central axle 128having an arm 130 projecting from each side thereof. A rotational axis127, about which brush 16 and brush head 14 rotate, extends throughspindle 126. Rotational axis 127 can also be the central axis for brush16 and brush head 14. Mounted on spindle 126 is a hub 132. As depictedin FIG. 9A, hub 132 has opposing side surfaces 136 and 138 which extendbetween a top surface 140 and an opposing bottom surface 142. Hub 132also includes a front face 144 and an opposing back face 146. A passage148 extends from top surface 140 to bottom surface 142. A side channel150 extends through side surfaces 136 and 138 adjacent to bottom surface142 so as to intersect with passage 148.

During assembly, hub 132 is received over spindle 126 so that axle 128extends through passage 148 and arms 130 are received within sidechannel 150. A bearing or bushing 151 (FIG. 5) is mounted on axle 128 attop surface 140 of hub 132. In this configuration, hub 132 is engagedwith spindle 126 such that rotation of hub 132 facilitates rotation ofspindle 126 and thus the remainder of brush head 14. In alternativeembodiment, it is appreciated that hub 132 can be integrally formed withbrush head 14.

Hub 132 further comprises a channel 152 formed on front face 144 andextending to top surface 140. Channel 152 is vertically aligned withpassage 148 and is bounded by a first engagement surface 156, a spacedapart second engagement surface 158, and an inside face 159 extendingtherebetween. Engagement surfaces 156 and 158 are opposingly facing andare in substantially parallel alignment. Recessed along each engagementsurface 156 and 158 is a locking channel 160. Each locking channel 160is elongated and is slightly arched along the length thereof. Thedistance between engagement surfaces 156 and 158 of hub 132 is smallerthan the diameter of rounded head 116.

As depicted in FIGS. 7 and 10, however, hub 132 is configured so thathead 116 can be snap-fit between engagement surfaces 156 and 158 so thathead 116 is a resiliently captured within locking channels 160 formed onengagement surfaces 156 and 158. In this configuration, head 116 isresiliently biased between faces 156 and 158.

In an alternative embodiment depicted in FIG. 9B, locking channels 160can be eliminated so that engagement surfaces 156 and 158 aresubstantially flat. In this embodiment, head 116 can be sized to snuglyor loosely fit between engagement surfaces 156 and 158.

Returning to FIG. 5, head housing 7 is enclosed over drive shaft 100 andhub 132 so that head housing 7 rides against bearings 151 and 162.Bayonet slots 164 are formed on distal end 28 of body housing 12 whilebayonet prongs 166 project from proximal end 32 of head housing 7. Assuch, head assembly 6 can be removably connected to body assembly 5using the bayonet connection (FIG. 1).

In the above assembled configuration, couplings 68 and 110 are mated.Accordingly, as button 23 is depressed, motor 60 is energized causingdrive shaft 66 and drive shaft 100 to each rotate about their rotationalor central longitudinal axis. In turn, because stem 114 and rounded head116 are mounted eccentrically on shaft 102, head 116 rotates in acircle. That is, as shaft 102 spins or rotates, head 116 begins torotate in an enlarged circle so as to bias against engagement surface158 of hub 132 causing hub 132 with connected brush head 14 and brush 16to rotate in a first direction about axle 128. The length and arch oflocking channels 160 allows for free rotation of head 116 within lockingchannels 160.

Once head 116 has moved to its furthest extent in one direction, head116 then begins to bias against the opposing engagement surface 156causing hub 132, with connected brush head 14 and brush 16, to rotate inthe opposing direction about axle 128. As such, rapid rotation of driveshaft 100 with head 116 causes hub 132 with connected brush head 14 andbrush 16 to rapidly reciprocate. By securing head 116 within lockingchannels 160, a snug engagement can be formed between hub 132 and head116. This snug fit optimizes the transfer of movement between drive rod100 and hub 132. That is, the snug fit eliminates slop between hub 132and drive rod 100 even after head 116 has begun to wear within lockingchannels 160.

Once cleaning apparatus 10 is energized, brush 16 can be biased againsta surface for cleaning. It is noted that brush 16 is positioned at anorientation relative housing 36 so as to optimize convenience and use.For example, with reference to FIG. 6, in one embodiment brush 16projects relative to the central longitudinal axis of body assembly 5 orhead assembly 6 so as to form a set inside angle θ therewith typicallyin a range between about 90° to about 180° with about 110° to about 140°being more common. Other angles can also be used. Expressed in otherterms, rotational axis 127 of brush head 14 or brush 16 intersects withrotational axis 38 of the drive shaft or of central longitudinal axis118 of housing 36 so as to form the set inside angle θ as discussedabove. By having the angle θ at about 110° to about 140°, the user isable to more conveniently place and use brush 16 while holding ontohousing 36.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. For example, it is appreciated that lockingchannels 160 need not merely be recessed within inner side walls 156 and158 but can completely extend through hub 132. Furthermore, it is notnecessary that head 116 be spherical. In alternative embodiments, it isappreciated that head 116 can be elliptical or have a variety of otherconfigurations that mate with complementary locking channels.

Depicted in FIG. 11 is an alternative embodiment of a cleaning apparatus200 incorporating features of the present invention. Like elementsbetween cleaning apparatus 10 and 200 are identified by like referencecharacters. Cleaning apparatus comprises a head assembly 202 and a bodyassembly 204. Turning to FIG. 12A, body assembly 204 comprises a bodyhousing 206 which is molded as a tubular member. Body housing 206comprises a handle portion 208 having a proximal end 210 and an opposingdistal end 212. Distal end 212 terminates at and end face 214 from whicha tapered, tubular stem 216 projects. A pair of opposing bayonet slots217 are formed along stem 216. Handle portion 208 and stem 216 aretypically comprised of a substantially rigid plastic such as ABS. Anoverly 218, comprised of a softer, flexible plastic such as TPE orrubber, is molded over a section of handle portion 208. Overlay 218allows improved gripping of cleaning apparatus 200.

Body housing 206 has an interior surface 220 which bounds a chamber 222.Turning to FIG. 12B, secured within chamber 222 is a guide 224. Guide224 comprises an elongated partition wall 226 having a proximal end 228and an opposing distal end 230. The sides of partition wall 228 arecurved so that batteries 78 can be complementary received on each sidethereof. A cantilevered latch 232 is formed at proximal end 238 at boththe top and bottom of partition wall 226. Each latch 232 terminates at abarb 234. A spring 236 is positioned between partition wall 226 and eachlatch 232 so that each latch 232 can be selectively compressed towardpartition wall 226 and, when released, each latch 232 resilientlyrebounds. As depicted in FIG. 13, holes 235 are formed through each sideof handle portion 208 at proximal end 210. An engaging portion 238 ofoverlay 218 is molded over holes 235. Guide 224 is positioned withinchamber 222 to that each latch 232 is aligned with a corresponding hole235. A user is thus able to manually press inward on the flexibleengaging portions 238 of overlay 218 so as to selectively inwardly presslatches 232.

Latches 232 are used for securing an end cap 240 to proximal end 210 ofbody housing 206. Specifically, end cap 210 has an interior surface 242with a pair of opposing catches 244 formed thereon. When end cap 240 ispushed onto proximal end 210 of body housing 206, barbs 234 on latches232 engage catches 244 so as to securely lock end cap 240 on bodyhousing 206. To remove end cap 240, engaging portions 238 are manuallydepressed as discussed above so as to inwardly flex latches 232 and thusrelease barbs 234 from catches 244.

Returning to FIG. 12B, cupped support 246 is formed at distal end 230 ofpartition wall 226 and is used to support motor 60. Motor 60 rotates aninitial shaft 250 which in turn rotates a drive shaft 254. Drive shaft254 has a head 255 formed at a distal end thereof. Head 255 typicallyhas a non-circular transverse cross section such that it can engage witha coupler as discussed below in greater detail. In the embodimentdepicted, head 255 comprises a flattened portion of drive shaft 254. Inalternative embodiments, head 255 can have any number of differentpolygonal or non-circular transverse cross sections.

A conventional gear assembly 252 extends between initial shaft 250 anddrive shaft 254 so that the torque produced by drive shaft 254 isadjusted relative to the torque produced by initial shaft 250 by a ratioin a range between about 1.5:1 to about 3.5:1. Increasing the torquecapacity of drive shaft 254 enable brush 16 to continue to reciprocateor rotate even when substantial bearing force is applied to brush 16while scrubbing. This is contrary to many conventional electrictoothbrushes where it is desired that the brush stop moving orsignificantly slow when too much force is applied so that the toothbrushdoes not damage the gums.

It is appreciated that there are a variety of different mechanism thatcan be used to transfer electricity from batteries 78 to motor 60. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the four batteries 78 are disposed inparallel. The negative end of the back two batteries 78 bias against acorresponding spring 256 which are each in electrical communication witha transfer spring 258. The springs are mounted on a plate 255 which issecured within end cap 240. Transfer spring 258 biases against a contact260. An electrical lead 262 extends from contact 260 to motor 60. Thepositive end of the front two batteries 78 bias against a correspondcontact 264 which are each in electrical communication with a flexibleswitch 266. Switch 266 is positioned above motor 60 such that whenswitch 266 is biased against motor 60, the circuit is complete and motor60 is energized.

In an alternative embodiment, batteries 78 can be positioned in seriesrather then parallel. In this embodiment, springs 256 are in electricalcommunication with each other but transfer spring 256, contact 260, andlead 262 are eliminated. Likewise, the two contacts 264 are separatedfrom each other. One of contacts 264 is in direct electricalcommunication with motor 60 while the other contact 264 remainsconnected with switch 266. Placing batteries 78 in series increases thevoltage to provide more power to the motor.

Turning to FIG. 12A, an opening 270 is formed on a top surface bodyhousing 206 so as to communicate with chamber 222. Opening 270 isaligned with motor 60 and switch 266. Secured within opening 270 is aflexible diaphragm 272. Diaphragm 272 has a top surface 274 and anopposing bottom surface 276. A projection 278 is formed on top surface274. A cover plate 280 has an elongated hole 282 extending therethroughand is secured over opening 270 so that hole 282 is aligned withprojection 278. A button 284 is slidably mounted to cover plate 280 by acatch 286 and a retainer 288.

As depicted in FIG. 14A, button 284 comprises a generally cup-shapedbody 290 having an interior surface 292 with a stem 294 projectingtherefrom. Button 284 is comprised of a resiliently flexible materialwhich is typically a natural or synthetic rubber. Retainer 288 comprisesa substantially circular frame 296 having an opening 298 extendingtherethrough. Opening 298 is at least partially bounded by a lip 300.Retainer 288 is comprised of a substantially rigid material or at leasta material that is more rigid than the material used for button 284.Button 284 is secured to retainer 288 so that stem 294 passes throughopening 298. In one embodiment, button 284 is secured to retainer 288 bybeing molded directly onto retainer 288 during the formation of button284, i.e., overlay molding process.

Catch 286 (FIG. 14B) comprises a base 302 having an opening 304extending therethrough. A pair of barbed prongs 306 upwardly projectfrom a top surface of base 302 on opposing sides of opening 304. Catch286 is used to secure button 284 on cover plate 280. Specifically,button 284 and retainer 288 are positioned on the top surface of coverplate 280 so that stem 294 is aligned with opening 282 of cover plate280. Prongs 306 of catch 286 are then pushed up through opening 282 ofcover plate 280 from the bottom surface thereof so that prongs engagewith lip 300 of retainer 288 by a snap fit connection.

In this assembled configuration, button 284 can selectively side oncover plate 280 between an off position as shown in FIG. 14A and an onposition as shown in FIG. 14C. In the off position, projection 278 ofdiaphragm 272 is disposed between stem 294 of button 284 and switch 266and is at least partially disposed within opening 304 of catch 286. Inthis position, switch 266 is spaced apart from motor 60 so that noelectrical contact is made. From the off position, there are two ways inwhich a user can energize motor 60. In one approach, as depicted in FIG.14B, a user can simply press down on the center of button 284. In sodoing, stem 294 is pressed down against projection 278 which in turnpushes down switch 266 so that switch 266 contacts motor 60, therebyenergizing motor 60. When the user releases button 284, button 284resiliently returns to the off position.

In the second approach as depicted in FIG. 14C, the user manually slidesbutton 284 along cover plate 280. In so doing, base 302 of catch 286rides over projection 278 which pushes projection 278 downward againcausing switch 266 to contact motor 60, thereby energizing motor 60.Motor 60 remains energized until button 284 is again moved back to theoff position. The button assembly thus enables a single, integral buttonto activate the motor in two different modes of operation.

Returning to FIG. 12A, head assembly 202 comprises a head housing 201which includes upper head housing 22 and lower head housing 24 eachhaving proximal end 32 and opposing distal end 34. Head housing 201bounds a channel 316 extending along the length thereof which is atleast partially divided by complementary partition walls 317 formed onhousing 22 and 24. Secured between housing 22 and 24 at proximal end 32is an engagement ring 312. Engagement ring 312 has opposing bayonetprong 318 formed on an interior surface thereof. Head assembly 202 isremovably secured to body assembly 204 by inserting stem 216 of bodyhousing 206 within proximal end 32 of head assembly 202 so that bayonetprongs 318 are received within bayonet slots 217 and then rotating headassembly 202 relative to body assembly 204.

Head assembly 202 comprises a drive shaft 320 having a proximal end 322and an opposing distal end 324. Proximal end 322 has a coupler 326secured thereto. Coupler 326 has a socket 328 formed on the free endthereof that is designed to removably engage with head 255 on driveshaft 254 extending from motor 60. Specifically, socket 328 has aconfiguration complementary to head 255 such that when head 255 isreceived within socket 328, rotation of drive shaft 254 causes rotationof drive shaft 320. Head 255 is removably received within socket 328when head assembly 202 is removably coupled with body assembly 204 asdiscussed above.

An enlarged disk 330 is secured to distal end 324 of drive shaft 320. Inthe embodiment depicted, disk 330 has a substantially cylindricalconfiguration that includes a proximal end face 332 and an opposingdistal end face 334. Distal end 324 of drive shaft 320 is centrallysecured to proximal end face 332. In contrast, stem 114 and rounded head116 are mounted on distal end face 334 at a location spaced radiallyoutward from the rotational axis of drive shaft 320. That is, stem 114is eccentrically mounted on end face 334 in the same manner as discussedabove with regard to cleaning apparatus 4.

It is noted that centrally positioning enlarged disk 330 at the end ofdrive shaft 320 helps to stabilize drive shaft 320 during the rotationof eccentrically mounted rounded head 116. In alternative embodiments,however, drive shaft 320 can have the same diameter as disk 330 or disk330 can be eliminated and an arm formed between drive shaft 330 and stem114. Other conventional techniques can also be used to eccentricallyposition rounded head 116. A cylindrical bushing 336 encircles driveshaft 320 toward distal end 324 and is supported within supports 338formed on the interior surface of head housing 201.

As with cleaning apparatus 4, cleaning apparatus 200 includes brush head14. Brush head 14 comprises carrier plate 122 having bottom surface 125with brush 16 comprised of bristles formed thereon. Plate 122 also hastop surface 124 with spindle 126 and arms 130 projecting therefrom. Axle128 centrally projects from spindle 126 and has a rotational axisextending therethrough. A tubular bushing 340 is secured to upper headhousing 22 and encircles axle 128 (FIG. 13). Axle 128 and spindle 126are received within a hub 342 with a wear plate 341 positioned betweenbushing 340 and spindle 126.

As depicted in FIG. 15, hub 342 comprises a substantially cylindricalbase 344 having a front face 346, a back face 348, and opposing sidefaces 350 and 351 which each extend between a top surface 352 and anopposing bottom surface 354. A passage 356 centrally extends throughbase 344 from top surface 352 to bottom surface 354. A side channel 358extends through side surfaces 350 and 351 adjacent to bottom surface 354so as to intersect with passage 356. Side channel 358 is configured sothat when spindle 126 is received within passage 356, arms 130 arereceived within side channel 358 so that hub 342 is interlocked withbrush head 14. Wear plate 341 also has tabs projecting from the sidethereof which are received within side channel 358 of hub 342 so thatwear plate 341 is secured to hub 342. In one embodiment where bushing340 is metal and spindle 126 is plastic, wear plate 341 prevents bushing340 from producing undue wear on spindle 126.

Projecting from back face 348 of base 344 is a guide 360. Guide 360comprises a first side wall 362, a complementary spaced apart secondside wall 364, and a back wall 366 extending therebetween. Guide 360partially bounds a channel 368 that is vertically aligned with passage356. Channel 368 is bounded by a first engagement surface 370, a spacedapart second engagement surface 372, and an inside face 374 extendingtherebetween. Engagement surfaces 370 and 372 are opposingly facing, aresubstantially flat, and are in substantially parallel alignment. Thedistance between engagement surfaces 370 and 372 of hub 342 issubstantially equal to the diameter of rounded head 116.

Comparable to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 10 and as illustrated inFIG. 13, rounded head 116 is received within channel 368. As roundedhead 116 is continuously rotated about the rotational axis of driveshaft 320 due to the rotation of drive shaft 254, rounded head 116alternatingly pushes against opposing engagement surfaces 370 and 372 soas to cause hub 342, brush head 14, and brush 16 to reciprocate in arotational pattern about the rotation axis extending through spindle126.

As with cleaning apparatus 4, in cleaning apparatus 200 the rotationalaxis of drive shaft 320 intersects with the rotational axis of brushhead 14 so as to form an inside angle θ that is typically greater than95° and is more commonly in a range between about 110° to about 140°. Asrounded head 116 travels in its circular pattern, rounded head 116travels longitudinally along the length of side walls 362 and 364.Because of the above discussed angular orientation of brush head 14,rounded head 116 is disposed farther away from the rotational axis ofbrush head 14 when rounded head 166 is disposed at the bottom of sidewalls 362 and 364 and is closer to the rotational axis of brush head 14when rounded head 166 is disposed at the top of side walls 362 and 364.Accordingly, to ensure that rounded head 166 is retained within channel368 during its circular movement, side walls 362 and 364 are wider atthe bottom than at the top.

In one embodiment rounded head 116 has a substantially sphericalconfiguration. This design has a number of benefits. For example, inpart because of the above discussed angular orientation of brush head14, rounded head 116 contacts engagement surfaces 370 and 372 along anumber of different points on rounded head 116 that are longitudinallyspaced proximal to distal and top to bottom. By making rounded head 116spherical, this helps to ensure continued minimal contact betweenrounded head 116 and engagement surfaces 370 and 372 so as to minimizewear.

Furthermore, due to tolerances in mounting brush head 14, on occasion asbrush 16 is biased against a surface for cleaning, brush head 14 willtilt slightly causing the distal end of rounded head 116 to bias againstinside face 374 of hub 342 (FIG. 15). This contact between rounded head116 and inside face 374 helps to stabilize and reinforce brush head 14.By making rounded head 116 spherical, the contact surface betweenrounded head 116 and inside face 374 is minimized. It is also noted thatboth of side walls 362 and 364 terminate at an outside edge 376. Theseoutside edges 376 are designed so that they can bias against distal endface 334 of disk 330 as brush head 14 is tilted during use so as to alsohelp stabilize and reinforce brush head 14.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. A cleaning apparatus comprising: (i) a body assembly comprising: anelongated body housing having a chamber; a motor at least partiallydisposed within the chamber of the body housing; and a body drive shaftat least partially disposed within the chamber of the body housing, thebody drive shaft being coupled with the motor such that during selectiveoperation of the motor, the body drive shaft is rotated continuouslyabout a rotational axis thereof; and (ii) a head assembly comprising: anelongated head housing; a head drive shaft disposed within the headhousing and having a rotational axis about which the head drive shaftrotates; a brush head comprising a carrier plate having a plurality ofbristles secured thereon and having a rotational axis about which thebrush head rotates, the brush head being mounted on the head housing andbeing coupled with the head drive shaft such that continuous rotation ofthe head drive shaft facilitates reciprocating rotation of the brushhead, the rotational axis of the brush head intersecting the rotationalaxis of the head drive shaft so as to form an inside angle therebetweenin a range between about 110° to about 140°, the head assembly beingadapted to be selectively coupled with the body assembly so that thebody drive shaft is coupled with the head drive shaft.
 2. The cleaningapparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of thebristles has a diameter greater than 0.30 mm.
 3. The cleaning apparatusas recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the bristles have adiameter greater than 0.40 mm.
 4. The cleaning apparatus as recited inclaim 1, wherein the head housing terminates at a distal end face havinga maximum diameter, the carrier plate being disposed directly adjacentto the distal end face of the head housing and having a maximum diameterthat is larger than the maximum diameter of the distal end face of thehead housing.
 5. The cleaning apparatus as recited in claim 1, whereinthe plurality of bristles combine to form a brush, the brush beingsubstantially cylindrical and having a maximum diameter in a rangebetween about 1 cm to about 4 cm.
 6. The cleaning apparatus as recitedin claim 1, further comprising an activation button position on a firstside of the body housing, the brush head projecting form a second sideof the body housing that is opposite of the first side.
 7. The cleaningapparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the head housing is removablycoupled with the body housing by being selectively twisted onto the bodyhousing.
 8. A cleaning system kit comprising: (i) a body assemblycomprising: an elongated body housing having a chamber; a motor at leastpartially disposed within the chamber of the body housing; and a bodydrive shaft at least partially disposed within the chamber of the bodyhousing, the body drive shaft being coupled with the motor such thatduring selective operation of the motor, the body drive shaft is rotatedcontinuously about a rotational axis thereof; (ii) a first head assemblycomprising: a first head housing; a first head drive shaft disposedwithin the first head housing and having a rotational axis about whichthe first head drive shaft rotates; a first brush head comprising acarrier plate having a plurality of bristles secured thereon and havinga rotational axis about which the first brush head rotates, the firstbrush head being mounted on the first head housing and being coupledwith the first head drive shaft such that continuous rotation of thefirst head drive shaft facilitates reciprocating rotation of the firstbrush head, the rotational axis of the first brush head intersecting therotational axis of the first head drive shaft so as to form an insideangle therebetween in a range between about 110° to about 140°, thefirst head assembly being adapted to be selectively coupled with thebody assembly so that the body drive shaft is coupled with the firsthead drive shaft; and (iii) a second head assembly comprising: a secondhead housing; a second head drive shaft disposed within the second headhousing and having a rotational axis about which the second head driveshaft rotates; a second brush head comprising a carrier plate having aplurality of bristles secured thereon, the second brush head having arotational axis about which the second brush head rotates and having aconfiguration that is different than the first brush head, the secondbrush head being mounted on the second head housing and being coupledwith the second head drive shaft such that continuous rotation of thesecond head drive shaft facilitates rotation of the second brush head,the rotational axis of the second brush head intersecting the rotationalaxis of the second head drive shaft so as to form an inside angletherebetween in a range between about 110° to about 140°, the secondhead assembly being adapted to be selectively coupled with the bodyassembly so that the body drive shaft is coupled with the second headdrive shaft.
 9. The cleaning system kit as recited in claim 8, whereinat least a portion of the bristles on the first brush head havedifferent properties than the bristles on the second brush head.
 10. Thecleaning system kit as recited in claim 8, wherein at least a portion ofthe bristles on the first brush head have a different length than thebristles on the second brush head.
 11. The cleaning system kit asrecited in claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the bristles on thefirst brush head have a different diameter than the bristles on thesecond brush head.
 12. The cleaning system kit as recited in claim 8,wherein the bristles on the first brush head combine to form a firstbrush having a first maximum diameter and the bristles on the secondbrush head combine to form a second brush having a second maximumdiameter, the first maximum diameter being larger than the secondmaximum diameter.
 13. The cleaning system kit as recited in claim 8,wherein at least a portion of the bristles of the first head housinghave a diameter greater than 0.30 mm.
 14. The cleaning system kit asrecited in claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the bristles of thefirst head housing have a diameter greater than 0.40 mm.
 15. Thecleaning system kit as recited in claim 8, wherein the plurality ofbristles of the first brush head combine to form a brush, the brushbeing substantially cylindrical and having a maximum diameter in a rangebetween about 1 cm to about 4 cm.
 16. The cleaning system kit as recitedin claim 8, wherein the first head housing is removably coupled with thebody housing by being selectively twisted onto the body housing.